Resources for School Counselors
Help students explore colleges with confidence. Discover resources that highlight Purdue Polytechnic's hands-on learning, career outcomes, academic programs, and the opportunities that prepare students for success.
Guiding high school students through the college search process is a big task; it's tough, and it can take a long time for students to find something that feels right. Purdue Polytechnic wants to provide you with the tools to help your students find their fit.
We use the "6 Cs of College Choice" framework to outline our academic and student life offerings. You can use these six areas-Calling, Curriculum, College Culture, Community, Career, and Cost-to evaluate if Purdue Polytechnic matches your students' goals.
The 6 Cs of College Choice
Calling
High school students often discover their calling in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and STEM coursework. Purdue Polytechnic is the ideal destination for students who display a passion for these subjects. Our college provides an applied education rooted in research and innovation. We equip students to tackle real-world challenges. Students in Purdue Polytechnic's programs want a career that is in-demand, speaks to their passions, and makes a tangible difference in the world.
Curriculum
Many students thrive in experiential, applied learning environments that go beyond what's on offer in traditional lecture halls. Purdue Polytechnic is here for these learners. We offer more than 25 majors and 14 minors across six academic schools and departments, all with a focus on applied learning. Students work with technology, build prototypes, and apply concepts to real-world problems from their first semester.
Polytechnic professors and lecturers bring decades of direct industry experience to the classroom, where we maintain a 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many majors require direct experience through internships, and all of them require industry-connected senior capstone projects for graduation.
College Culture
You help students identify a campus culture that fits their personal and professional goals. For that reason, Purdue Polytechnic offers two distinct campus environments.
West Lafayette
Students immerse themselves in a traditional Big Ten college town. Purdue Polytechnic operates high-tech facilities across the 2,600-acre campus, including the Smart Learning Ecosystem and the Niswonger Aviation Technology building. Students have access to a campus with a major collegiate athletics culture and a safe, vibrant campus environment.
Indianapolis
Purdue University in Indianapolis provides an urban campus experience. The city serves as an extension of the classroom. Students collaborate in shared, multi-use buildings that replicate the modern technology workforce. Regional companies even donated the space for our Construction Management program. This proximity allows students to build direct professional networks with companies actively hiring in their fields.
Community
Many students arrive at college with leadership experience from high school technology organizations. Purdue Polytechnic provides a natural continuation for students involved in FIRST Robotics, Vex Robotics, cyber forensics, and Capture the Flag cybersecurity competitions.
West Lafayette
Purdue offers diverse living arrangements and hundreds of student organizations. Plus, Polytechnic students often join Learning Communities to live and take classes with peers who share their academic interests. The college even hosts Techie Tuesdays to bring students together with food and activities outside of formal lectures. Students lead more than 60 Polytechnic-specific clubs and organizations.
"You have an opportunity to be a part of a groundbreaking community with other students. In a learning community, you can make some of your closest friends at Purdue who have the same interests as you!"
- Paul Thomas, Professor and Co-founder, Cybersecurity Learning Community
Indianapolis
The urban campus attracts creators and innovators. Students have the opportunity to build the community they want to see by founding new clubs and organizations. The campus already hosts active Polytechnic affinity groups, including PINSecurity, the Themed Entertainment Club, and Women in Cybersecurity.
Career
Purdue Polytechnic delivers a strong return on education. We design our programs to produce high job placement rates and competitive starting salaries. Students must complete internships and applied experience hours to graduate.
Our students connect with companies at numerous university and school-specific career fairs. The Office of Industry Engagement builds direct partnerships with global corporations. These partners frequently send guest speakers into our classrooms and labs. Students in both West Lafayette and Indianapolis also participate in university-wide projects like The Data Mine. These programs match student teams with corporate sponsors to solve actual business challenges, which further enhances their industry-relevant experience and makes them even more appealing to employers.
Cost
Purdue University prioritizes financial accessibility. Purdue has frozen tuition for 14 consecutive years. Students at both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations benefit from this tuition freeze.
In addition, Purdue Polytechnic offers extensive financial support through merit and need-based scholarships. In-state students at the Indianapolis location can receive exclusive, renewable scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 annually. Purdue also administers the Boiler Gold Grant and supports 21st Century Scholars through the Purdue Promise program. The Division of Financial Aid helps families navigate scholarships, federal grants, and loan options.